ABSTRACT
One of the more important issues on the congressional science and technology agenda has been consideration of legislation to regulate the conduct of scientific research involving DNA recombinant molecules. The committee went on to urge all scientists working with recombinant DNA molecules to avoid such experiments until further attempts had been made to evaluate the actual hazards that might be involved. The Atomic Energy Act imposes stringent regulatory controls over the scientific use of radioactive substances. Other issues, such as the protection of proprietary information and scientific discoveries, remained a source of contention. Controls are enforced in the use of human subjects in scientific experimentation. Dangerous drugs and chemicals must be used according to governmental standards. The constitutional protections afforded scientific research require that governmental regulation be justified by a compelling need to protect the community's health and welfare and that governmental regulations be drawn as narrowly as possible to achieve the necessary protection.
